Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building » social responsibilityhttp://inhabitat.com
Green design & eco innovation for a better worldTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:52:35 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.1176-pound piece of concrete falls off Zaha Hadid-designed building in Viennahttp://inhabitat.com/176-pound-piece-of-concrete-falls-off-zaha-hadid-designed-building-in-vienna/
http://inhabitat.com/176-pound-piece-of-concrete-falls-off-zaha-hadid-designed-building-in-vienna/#commentsThu, 08 Jan 2015 22:46:25 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=714414A 176-pound piece of concrete fell off the facade of the Zaha Hadid-designed Library and Learning Center in Vienna last Friday. The building, which opened last year, features a facade made from fiber-reinforced concrete. Even though the large chunk of building]]>

A 176-pound piece of concrete fell off the facade of the Zaha Hadid-designed Library and Learning Center in Vienna last Friday. The building, which opened last year, features a facade made from fiber-reinforced concrete. Even though the large chunk of building material fell down right in front of the library’s entrance, there are no reports of injuries. However, the incident does underline the importance of project execution and the question of architects’ responsibility.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/176-pound-piece-of-concrete-falls-off-zaha-hadid-designed-building-in-vienna/feed/0Inhabitat’s Top 7 Most Inspiring Stories of 2014http://inhabitat.com/inhabitats-top-7-most-inspiring-stories-of-2014/
http://inhabitat.com/inhabitats-top-7-most-inspiring-stories-of-2014/#commentsWed, 31 Dec 2014 14:00:09 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=711889Every year you come across those stories that warm your heart and lift your spirits. Whether it involves a tough old lady who refused to back down to developers or a teenager with a brilliant idea that could save the oceans, they're the kind of stories that]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/inhabitats-top-7-most-inspiring-stories-of-2014/feed/1Pope Francis urges shoppers to be socially responsible with their holiday purchaseshttp://inhabitat.com/pope-francis-urges-shoppers-to-be-socially-responsible-with-their-holiday-purchases/
http://inhabitat.com/pope-francis-urges-shoppers-to-be-socially-responsible-with-their-holiday-purchases/#commentsSun, 14 Dec 2014 14:00:10 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=709674Photo by Giulio Napolitano/Shutterstock
It's mid-December, which means it is peak season for the holiday shopping frenzy. But before you finish checking off those gifts on your lists, there is one important message that Pope Francis hopes you'll keep in]]>
Photo by Giulio Napolitano/Shutterstock

It’s mid-December, which means it is peak season for the holiday shopping frenzy. But before you finish checking off those gifts on your lists, there is one important message that Pope Francis hopes you’ll keep in mind—that “purchasing is always a moral—and not simply an economic—act”. In a speech to be delivered at the start of the New Year, the Pope urges all of us to be socially responsible with our purchases and to be aware that many modern-day products are still created through exploitation and slavery. Your money, however, need not help fund those businesses. Click through to read more of Pope Francis’ speech.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/pope-francis-urges-shoppers-to-be-socially-responsible-with-their-holiday-purchases/feed/0Celebrate Giving Tuesday TODAY as an antidote to Black Friday and Cyber Mondayhttp://inhabitat.com/celebrate-giving-tuesday-today-as-an-antidote-to-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/
http://inhabitat.com/celebrate-giving-tuesday-today-as-an-antidote-to-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/#commentsTue, 02 Dec 2014 22:28:21 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=707122By now, you've probably seen videos and photos of Black Friday, where people have beaten each other up and shoved little old ladies aside in order to buy, buy, buy at low, low prices. Cyber Monday is another marketing blitz in which mega-sales occur online]]>

By now, you’ve probably seen videos and photos of Black Friday, where people have beaten each other up and shoved little old ladies aside in order to buy, buy, buy at low, low prices. Cyber Monday is another marketing blitz in which mega-sales occur online so folks can whip out credit cards and buy at a distance, pushing rabid consumerism to an all-time high. Thankfully, Giving Tuesday has come about to counteract the ill effects of the past few days by encouraging people to give to charity instead of spending money on “stuff.”

]]>http://inhabitat.com/celebrate-giving-tuesday-today-as-an-antidote-to-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/feed/1Clever Infinite Light Turns a Recycled Plastic Bottle Into a Solar Lamphttp://inhabitat.com/clever-infinite-light-turns-a-recycled-plastic-bottle-into-a-solar-lamp/
http://inhabitat.com/clever-infinite-light-turns-a-recycled-plastic-bottle-into-a-solar-lamp/#commentsWed, 18 Jun 2014 20:30:36 +0000http://inhabitat.com/new-post-submission-164/Millions of people around the world live without access to electricity - and upon nightfall, many families are forced to use dangerous and expensive kerosene lamps. The Infinite Light is a high quality and cost-effective solar lamp designed to be used in rural]]>

Millions of people around the world live without access to electricity – and upon nightfall, many families are forced to use dangerous and expensive kerosene lamps. The Infinite Light is a high quality and cost-effective solar lamp designed to be used in rural off-grid areas. The simple solution consists of a flexible solar panel and batteries stored within a recycled PET bottle. Designed by Dr. Hakan Gürsu of Designnobis, the Infinite Light was honored with a 2013 Green Dot Award.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/clever-infinite-light-turns-a-recycled-plastic-bottle-into-a-solar-lamp/feed/0INTERVIEW: 8 Questions with Starbucks Global Responsibility VP Ben Packardhttp://inhabitat.com/inhabitat-interview-8-questions-with-starbucks-global-responsibility-vp-ben-packard/
http://inhabitat.com/inhabitat-interview-8-questions-with-starbucks-global-responsibility-vp-ben-packard/#commentsMon, 12 May 2014 04:45:24 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=365446INHABITAT: Can you tell us a little about what drew you to work for Starbucks as Vice President of Global Responsibility?
Ben: I came to Starbucks 14 years ago as Environmental Affairs Manager, after working at the intersection of environmental issues and]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/inhabitat-interview-8-questions-with-starbucks-global-responsibility-vp-ben-packard/feed/1Edith Macefield: The 84-Year-Old Who Refused a Million Dollars and Forced a Shopping Mall to Build Around Her Househttp://inhabitat.com/edith-macefield-the-84-year-old-who-refused-a-million-dollars-and-forced-a-shopping-mall-to-build-around-her-house/
http://inhabitat.com/edith-macefield-the-84-year-old-who-refused-a-million-dollars-and-forced-a-shopping-mall-to-build-around-her-house/#commentsSun, 23 Mar 2014 07:00:01 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=628262Have you heard of Edith Macefield? This old lady turned down a million dollar offer to sell her home to make way for a shopping mall in Seattle, Washington. Without Edith's land, the developer had to alter the building's plan so that it would meander around]]>

Have you heard of Edith Macefield? This old lady turned down a million dollar offer to sell her home to make way for a shopping mall in Seattle, Washington. Without Edith’s land, the developer had to alter the building’s plan so that it would meander around the small, two-story house. At 84 years old, Edith become a folk hero. And if you think her house looks familiar, it’s probably because it looks amazingly similar to (and could be the inspiration for) the famous flying house in Pixar’s animated film UP.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/edith-macefield-the-84-year-old-who-refused-a-million-dollars-and-forced-a-shopping-mall-to-build-around-her-house/feed/18London’s First Cat Cafe is Open for Playhttp://inhabitat.com/europes-first-cat-cafe-opens-in-london/
http://inhabitat.com/europes-first-cat-cafe-opens-in-london/#commentsMon, 03 Mar 2014 22:28:14 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=621605London's very first cat cafe, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium opened its doors over the weekend. Located in Shoredich, just off Brick Lane, this unique teashop offers the prrrfect space for playing with feline friends over a cuppa, scones and jam. First seen in]]>

London’s very first cat cafe, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium opened its doors over the weekend. Located in Shoredich, just off Brick Lane, this unique teashop offers the prrrfect space for playing with feline friends over a cuppa, scones and jam. First seen in Japan, this sweet concept offers a safe, comfortable home to rescue cats in the capital.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/europes-first-cat-cafe-opens-in-london/feed/2Sculptor George Sabra Transforms Discarded Cardboard into Figures for Environmental Changehttp://inhabitat.com/sculptor-george-sabra-transforms-discarded-cardboard-into-sculptures-for-environmental-change/
http://inhabitat.com/sculptor-george-sabra-transforms-discarded-cardboard-into-sculptures-for-environmental-change/#commentsFri, 25 Oct 2013 20:06:36 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=570620The great philosopher Macklemore said it best in his hit song “Thrift Store” that one man’s trash is another man’s come up. This statement rings particularly true for artist and sculptor George Sabra, whose 20-year career has been influenced by the]]>

The great philosopher Macklemore said it best in his hit song “Thrift Store” that one man’s trash is another man’s come up. This statement rings particularly true for artist and sculptor George Sabra, whose 20-year career has been influenced by the very materials people throw away. We caught up with the artist at this year’s SXSW ECO conference as he ferociously hacked away at sheets of cardboard and pieced them together to create an art sculpture right before our very eyes. Click through to learn more about the man behind the trash.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/sculptor-george-sabra-transforms-discarded-cardboard-into-sculptures-for-environmental-change/feed/0Cricket Silent Bike Alarm Alerts Your iPhone to Prevent Thefthttp://inhabitat.com/protect-bikes-against-theft-with-modern-cricket-iphone-app-alarm/
http://inhabitat.com/protect-bikes-against-theft-with-modern-cricket-iphone-app-alarm/#commentsFri, 25 Oct 2013 15:13:55 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=576492A new silent alarm could make bicycle theft a thing of the past. The Cricket works in a similar way to standard security alarms, except it is combined with a free iPhone app. If anyone touches or moves your bike, the alarm is activated and a notification]]>

A new silent alarm could make bicycle theft a thing of the past. The Cricket works in a similar way to standard security alarms, except it is combined with a free iPhone app. If anyone touches or moves your bike, the alarm is activated and a notification pops up on your phone. If the worst happens and your bike is actually stolen, Cricket can hunt down the bike using Bluetooth technology to ensure a swift recovery.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/protect-bikes-against-theft-with-modern-cricket-iphone-app-alarm/feed/1CANstruction Sculptures Made from Nearly 30,000 Cans of Food Fight Hunger in San Franciscohttp://inhabitat.com/canstruction-sculptures-made-from-30000-cans-of-food-fight-hunger-in-san-francisco/
http://inhabitat.com/canstruction-sculptures-made-from-30000-cans-of-food-fight-hunger-in-san-francisco/#commentsMon, 14 Oct 2013 17:30:59 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=566895This year's CANstruction exhibition was part of the Architecture and the City Festival, and it was displayed in the atrium of the downtown Rincon Center, a popular lunch spot for office workers in San Francisco's Financial District.
The yearly event]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/canstruction-sculptures-made-from-30000-cans-of-food-fight-hunger-in-san-francisco/feed/1The BFI Announces the 2013 Semi-Finalists for the Buckminster Fuller Challengehttp://inhabitat.com/the-bfi-announces-the-2013-semi-finalists-for-the-buckminster-fuller-challenge/
http://inhabitat.com/the-bfi-announces-the-2013-semi-finalists-for-the-buckminster-fuller-challenge/#commentsWed, 21 Aug 2013 21:35:04 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=549131This week the Buckminster Fuller Institute announced the 19 semi-finalists that will take part in the 2013 Buckminster Fuller Challenge. The competition recognizes projects that solve some of humanity's most pressing problems through design. Named as "Socially-Responsible]]>

This week the Buckminster Fuller Institute announced the 19 semi-finalists that will take part in the 2013 Buckminster Fuller Challenge. The competition recognizes projects that solve some of humanity’s most pressing problems through design. Named as “Socially-Responsible Design’s Highest Award” by Metropolis Magazine, the Challenge received a record number of entries this year. Over the next six weeks, the jury will review the proposals and convene for deliberation in early October. The winners will be announced New York City ceremony in November, 2013.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/the-bfi-announces-the-2013-semi-finalists-for-the-buckminster-fuller-challenge/feed/0Ffrash Project Transforms Trash Into Recycled Furnishings in Indonesiahttp://inhabitat.com/ffrash-project-transforms-trash-into-recycled-furnishings-in-indonesia/
http://inhabitat.com/ffrash-project-transforms-trash-into-recycled-furnishings-in-indonesia/#commentsWed, 29 May 2013 21:00:42 +0000http://inhabitat.com/new-post-submission-1265/Garbage is everywhere in the streets of Jakarta. Bottles, caps, plastic bags - the scrap heap is enormous. New Dutch/Indonesian initiative Ffrash hopes to help by turning the trash into recycled furniture and products. Young Indonesians not engaged in school]]>

Garbage is everywhere in the streets of Jakarta. Bottles, caps, plastic bags – the scrap heap is enormous. New Dutch/Indonesian initiative Ffrash hopes to help by turning the trash into recycled furniture and products. Young Indonesians not engaged in school receive manufacturing lessons from Dutch designers, which will enable them to design and build interior products themselves. Furthermore, they are being trained in marketing in order to sell their goods. The project is a small step towards a solution to the garbage problem in Indonesia, and it provides youngsters with a new perspective on life.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/ffrash-project-transforms-trash-into-recycled-furnishings-in-indonesia/feed/0Aquaovo’s Portable Alter Ego Water Filter is a Stylish Alternative to Buying Bottled Waterhttp://inhabitat.com/portable-water-filter-alter-ego-is-stylish-alternative-to-buying-bottled-water/
http://inhabitat.com/portable-water-filter-alter-ego-is-stylish-alternative-to-buying-bottled-water/#commentsThu, 06 Dec 2012 18:04:43 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=465052This portable water filter from Aquaovo is a fantastic alternative to buying bottled water. The Canada-based team has launched a new campaign to get their new Alter Ego filter system off the ground, and they're even tying its profits to socially responsible]]>

This portable water filter from Aquaovo is a fantastic alternative to buying bottled water. The Canada-based team has launched a new campaign to get their new Alter Ego filter system off the ground, and they’re even tying its profits to socially responsible water access charities. As a follow-up to their previous OVOPUR water filter back in 2009, Aquaovo has combined a stylish design with a sustainable concept in order to create an appealing brand.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/portable-water-filter-alter-ego-is-stylish-alternative-to-buying-bottled-water/feed/2Mine Kafon: Wind-Propelled Bamboo Sphere Designed to Clear Landmineshttp://inhabitat.com/mine-kafon-wind-propelled-bamboo-sphere-designed-to-clear-landmines/
http://inhabitat.com/mine-kafon-wind-propelled-bamboo-sphere-designed-to-clear-landmines/#commentsFri, 23 Nov 2012 21:28:43 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=460857The toys Massoud and his brother Mahmud built as children were created from a variety of found materials, but all were propelled by the desert’s string winds. For his final project at the Design Academy of Eindhoven, Massoud went back to his childhood]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/mine-kafon-wind-propelled-bamboo-sphere-designed-to-clear-landmines/feed/0PLEASE HELP: Desperate Lower Manhattan Struggles For Water, Food, Communicationhttp://inhabitat.com/donate-to-help-the-570000-people-stranded-by-hurricane-sandy-in-lower-manhattan/
http://inhabitat.com/donate-to-help-the-570000-people-stranded-by-hurricane-sandy-in-lower-manhattan/#commentsSat, 03 Nov 2012 13:13:21 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=455016Many people in Lower Manhattan live in tall high-rise buildings, and without access to power elevators stop working, refrigerators stop working and food spoils, water stops pumping, and it is extremely difficult for elderly and sick people to get out of their]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/donate-to-help-the-570000-people-stranded-by-hurricane-sandy-in-lower-manhattan/feed/0Richardson Apartments: David Baker’s Affordable Housing Project in Hayes Valley Wows Design Enthusiasts at AIA Homes Tourshttp://inhabitat.com/richardson-apartments-david-bakers-affordable-housing-project-in-hayes-valley-wows-design-enthusiasts-at-aia-homes-tours/
http://inhabitat.com/richardson-apartments-david-bakers-affordable-housing-project-in-hayes-valley-wows-design-enthusiasts-at-aia-homes-tours/#commentsMon, 15 Oct 2012 19:40:54 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=447257Photo by Bruce Damonte
One of the most impressive aspects of the Richardson Apartments is that all of its 120 residents were formerly homeless. David Baker joked that these are his most appreciative clients, and it is clear that the best therapy for this]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/richardson-apartments-david-bakers-affordable-housing-project-in-hayes-valley-wows-design-enthusiasts-at-aia-homes-tours/feed/0Activists Stage Flash “Faint-Ins” at Clothing Stores in Europe to Protest Sweatshop Conditionshttp://inhabitat.com/activists-stage-flash-faint-ins-at-clothing-stores-in-europe-to-protest-sweatshop-conditions/
http://inhabitat.com/activists-stage-flash-faint-ins-at-clothing-stores-in-europe-to-protest-sweatshop-conditions/#commentsSat, 22 Sep 2012 14:50:52 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=440825Cheap fashion often comes at a high price for the sweatshop workers who create the garments, which is why activists from the Clean Clothes Campaign took to clothing stores throughout Europe last week and staged "faint-ins." Appearing to pass out on the floors]]>

Cheap fashion often comes at a high price for the sweatshop workers who create the garments, which is why activists from the Clean Clothes Campaign took to clothing stores throughout Europe last week and staged “faint-ins.” Appearing to pass out on the floors of Zara, H&M and the Gap, members of the campaign sought to highlight instances of mass fainting in sweatshops in Cambodia. In just two days last month at least 284 employees collapsed at a the M&V International Manufacturing in Kompong Chhang province. Workers in the Southeast Asian nation are regularly exposed to unsafe working conditions, experiencing poverty pay and malnutrition as they produce the ever-popular garments.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/activists-stage-flash-faint-ins-at-clothing-stores-in-europe-to-protest-sweatshop-conditions/feed/0Bambu’s Renewable Ideas Fuse Design and Social Responsibilityhttp://inhabitat.com/bambus-renewable-ideas-fuse-design-and-social-responsibility/
http://inhabitat.com/bambus-renewable-ideas-fuse-design-and-social-responsibility/#commentsWed, 29 Aug 2012 20:40:12 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=428663Bambu is one of the leading green companies in the homewares and gift segment. The China-based company received Green America’s Gold Seal of Approval for its efforts to preserve the environment, promote healthy communities and ensure fair labor practices.]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/bambus-renewable-ideas-fuse-design-and-social-responsibility/feed/0$11 Billion Worth of Recyclable Packaging is Buried in American Landfillshttp://inhabitat.com/11-billion-worth-of-recyclable-packaging-is-buried-in-american-landfills/
http://inhabitat.com/11-billion-worth-of-recyclable-packaging-is-buried-in-american-landfills/#commentsFri, 10 Aug 2012 05:20:07 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=422078Photo via Shutterstock
Americans may produce more municipal waste per capita than any other country in the world, but improving our recycling rate is one major way we can turn the tide and become a more sustainable society. According to a new report released]]>Photo via Shutterstock

Americans may produce more municipal waste per capita than any other country in the world, but improving our recycling rate is one major way we can turn the tide and become a more sustainable society. According to a new report released by As You Sow (AYS), an environmental and social responsibility-focused advocacy group, a significant source of the problem lies in our failure to recycle packaging made from recyclable materials.